The media can play a crucial role in reducing various migration related problems, the deputy chief of mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Monday.
Sharon Dimanche made the comment at a “Sensitization Workshop on Migration for Media” jointly organized by IOM and the Brac Migration at an Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka .
“Media can be a key influencer, affecting public perceptions about migration and governance, safe and regular migration, and migrant workers,” Dimanche said.
“By highlighting an issue and bringing it in into mainstream discussion, the media can even encourage public mobilization and support to drive policy changes.”
The IOM estimates that only 20% of migrant related news receives coverage.
“By helping to shape the debate around regular migration and its benefits, as well as by reporting on abusive and deceptive recruitment in the labor migration process, the media can serve as an instrument for change on migration issues,” Dimanche said.
The IOM deputy chief of mission said also called on Bangladeshi journalists and media to cover migration issues with more importance.
The call was reinforced by Brac Migration Program Head Shariful Hasan, who delivered the closing remarks at Monday’s workshop.
He said: “There is a lot of opportunity for journalists who work in the migration sector. Numerous reports can be produced if we think not only about the Bangladesh’s perspective, but also the international perspective.
“We do not want our mothers or sisters to be abused or tortured when they go abroad. We do not want any of our brothers to die when crossing the sea. If we work together, it is possible to bring discipline and good governance to this sector.”
Also at the workshop, migration expert Asif Munier presented data on trends in migration and suggested journalists use such data in their reports.
Masudul Haque, general secretary of Reporters for Bangladeshi Migrants (RBM), and Asif Mahmud Bin Harun, national communication officer of IOM, also spoke at the workshop.
